ParticlesHSK 3

Modal particle 呢

Add 呢 to the end of a statement to emphasize what you're saying, as if to remind or inform someone of a fact. It is often paired with 还 to mean 'still' or 'yet'.

Structure

Statement + 呢

often used with 还 to emphasize 'still'

Examples

我不要回家。还早呢！
Wǒ bù yào huíjiā. Hái zǎo ne !
I don't want to go home. It's still early!
雨还很大呢，我们不要出去了。
Yǔ hái hěn dà ne , wǒmen bùyào chūqù le .
And it's raining really heavily. Let's just not go out.
你喝吧，还有很多可乐呢。
Nǐ hē ba, háiyǒu hěn duō kělè ne .
Drink some. There's a lot of cola left.
爸爸在工作呢，不能和你一起玩。
Bàba zài gōngzuò ne , bù néng hé nǐ yīqǐ wán.
Daddy's working. He can't play with you.
他还没回来呢。
Tā hái méi huílái ne .
He hasn't come back yet.

Words that use this

呢neparticle indicating that a previously asked question is to be applied to the preceding word ("What about ...?", "And ...?"); particle for inquiring about location ("Where is ...?"); particle signaling a pause, to emphasize the preceding words and allow the listener time to take them on board ("ok?", "are you with me?"); (at the end of a declarative sentence) particle indicating continuation of a state or action; particle indicating strong affirmation